Wyoming National Forests & Parks

Copyright: USDA Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest

Yellowstone, the nations first and most famous National Park lies mostly in Wyoming. Yellowstone includes thousands of geysers and hot springs, along with lakes, waterfalls, high mountain meadows and river gorges of spectacular natural beauty. The most notable attraction of Grand Teton National Park is the rugged and beautiful Teton Range. The primary feature of Devils Tower National Monument is the 865-foot tower of columnar rock. Devils Tower was the nations first National Monument. Fossil Buttes National Monument covers an area of outstanding fossilized fish, insects, snails, turtles, birds, bats, and plant remains in 55 million year-old rock layers.

Recreation - Wyoming's National Forests and Parks offer an array of year round recreation activities. Summer activities include hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, rafting, kayaking and mountain biking. Wyomings vast and remote wilderness areas offer some of the best backcountry experiences in the country.

Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activites. The world-class Jackson Hole Ski area is located on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, near the town of Jackson.

Climate - As throughout the Rocky Mountains, the climate varies drastically depending on elevation. The National Forests and Parks in Wyoming mostly occupy the higher elevations. Summers generally offer warm clear days with cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are often a possibility in the summer. In the winter, frequent sunshine, but heavy snow in the higher elevations, are ideal for winter activities. Harsh weather - including strong winds, cold, and snow - is possible throughout the winter and even throughout the year, especially in the highest elevations.

Location - National Forests in Wyoming primarily encompass the high mountain areas of the state. With the exception of the Medicine Bow, in southern Wyoming, near Laramie, the other Forests are found in the northern and western portions of the State. The Bighorn is headquartered in Sheridan, the Shoshone is headquartered in Cody and the Bridger-Teton is headquartered in Jackson.

Wyoming is home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Both of these parks can be found in the northwest corner of the state, north of Jackson and west of Cody.